Japanese Flowering Cherries by Wybe Kuitert (free)

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the midst of a confusing discussion, and when Wilson (1916) drew a wrong conclusion, it remained an accepted name. 'Ichiyo' will not be confused with 'Choshu-hizakura' if the scientific names of each are used; however, using the popular name "Hisakura" for either of these cherries will result in confusion. Jefferson (1984) gave 'Hizakura' as a synonym for 'Ichiyo', and the U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C., documents 'Ichiyo' under the name 'Hizakura'. Nonetheless, the correct name is 'Ichiyo', and the Japanese "Hizakura" applies to other cherries such as 'Choshu-hizakura' or to forms related to the bell-flowered cherry. The name 'Hizakura' should not be used for 'Ichiyo'. (For more details on the confusion between 'Hizakura' and 'Ichiyo', see the discussion under 'Choshu-hizakura'.) 'Ichiyo' is a vigorous grower, though it tends to spread rather than grow very high. At a height of 6 m, it may attain a diameter of 8 m or more. This healthy, rather late flowering cherry is rarely planted in Western countries, although it makes a beautifully spreading, strong tree, perfect for a park or larger garden. In ancient Japan, flowers of 'Ichiyo' were salted and pressed to be preserved. A few of these preserved flowers in a cup of boiling water made a hot drink with a delicate cherry fragrance. Prunus 'Ichiyo' Less current synonyms: Prunus serrulata f. unifolia, (not Hizakura) Description: Tree broad and vase-shaped or table-shaped with a flattened crown, to 6 m high and 810 m wide. Young foliage bronze-green (RHS 152). Serration single or double with few glands. Foliage is well developed in the flowering season. Stipules fairly divided, 1824 mm long. Corymbose inflorescence, with three to four flowers. Peduncles 1.33.0 cm long. Pedicels 2.53.5 cm long, not variable. Flower in bud pink, becoming very light pink (RHS 75-D) to almost white (RHS 155-D) when completely opened. Flower 4.55.0 cm in diameter, opening to a rather flat plane, with the petals nicely arranged around an open heart. Petals sixteen to twenty-two, with some petaloids, outer ones are orbicular 22 × 20 mm, inner ones oval 20 × 12 mm, slightly emarginate at the top, otherwise entire. Pistil one in 20 percent of the flowers, 2 in 80 percent, phylloid, second pistil sometimes abortive, 1213 mm long, longer than the stamens. The calyx is funnelshaped, 5 × 46 × 5 mm, with a faint purple tinge; there is a distinct transition from pedicel to calyx. Sepals are elon-


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